News Brief

11/1/2012, Cheshvan 16, 5773

Two Senior Eilat Officials Suspected of Corruption

The national fraud-investigation unit arrested two members of the Eilat city council, Thursday, on suspicion of accepting bribes to remove their opposition to projects that came before local and regional commissions. The pair, who serve on the planning and building commission, also face charges of fraud, breach of trust, and extortion through threats. A hearing for extension of their remand has been scheduled for the Be'er Sheva' Magistrates Court.

Evidence gathered during extended overt and covert investigations indicates that the two exploited their seats on the planning and building commission to put pressure on merchants and businesses who presented projects to the commission. The pressure included personal financial demands in the hundreds of thousands of shekels, it being made clear that if their demands were not met, the projects would not be approved.